Loving You (Love Wanted in Texas 6)

“Wow . . . the view from your room is amazing.”

All I could hear was banging in the bathroom before Jase rounded the corner. “You should see it at sunset. When I was little I would run up here to watch the sun go down. My

mother would get so mad at me. I would have my phone set and even if we were at dinner, I would jump up and come here. I was obsessed with it. Even now I love to watch the sun set.”

I found myself breathless as I listened to Jase talk. “That’s not something you would normally hear a guy saying.”

“Well, I was eight so . . . I guess I had an excuse.”

Jase turned and started rummaging through his closet. Cocking my head to the side, I asked, “What in the world are you looking for?”

“Found it!” he called out as he held a blanket in his hands. What in the world did he need a blanket for? “Are you ready?”

Smiling slightly, I asked, “Ready for what?”

“The plans I have for you today . . . and tonight.”

I was positive my face was beaming with happiness. “I’m more than ready.”

“Good, let’s get going.”

He grabbed the duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder and took my hand in his. There went my silly stomach. I swear every time he touched me, my body reacted in some way.

As we made our way back downstairs, I prayed this day would never end. The thought of going back to a somewhat normal life and not spending every moment with Jase made me feel sad.

“Are you heading out?” Whitley asked.

“Yep. We’re gonna stop at the store and pick up some food for Taylor and then head back to her new place.”

With an upturned face, Whitley’s eyes danced. “Taylor, are you excited about living in your own place? I know it’s a bit different from an apartment in the city.”

“I am. I’m excited about so many things, truth be told. The new job, learning something new. I’ve been around horses my whole life, but nothing this deep. It’s a bit strange to think I’ll be in a cabin in the middle of nowhere all alone, but in a way I think it will be good for me also.” Peeking up at Jase, I couldn’t help but grin bigger. “And I know I’m not that far from Jase, which is the most exciting.”

“That is a very good thing,” Whitley said as she walked up and hugged me. Pushing me back at arm’s length, she took me in with loving eyes. It was as if she was also trying to make sure this wasn’t a dream. “See you both tonight.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Whitley.”

Jase leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek. “See ya later, Mom.”

As we made our way out to his truck, I glanced over my shoulder back at the house. It was so beautiful. I didn’t want to do it because I would never want to jinx what Jase and I had, but I let myself dare dream of how beautiful a wedding would be here.

“What are you thinking about?” Jase asked while helping me up into the truck.

With a bubbly voice, I replied, “Our day today.”

His face lit up like Christmas morning. “Then let’s get it started, shall we?”

Jase carried in the last few bags of groceries I had bought at the HEB in Llano and set them on the kitchen counter. I couldn’t help but feel so domesticated right now. I was living in a bubble of happiness which was a far cry from a few days ago when I was more depressed than I had ever been.

After putting the food away, I turned and looked at the boxes. “Yuck. This does not look like fun.” Looking up at Jase through my eye lashes, I offered up another plan. “Do you want to put this off and, I don’t know . . . do something else?”

With a smirk, he shook his head. “Oh no. We are getting you unpacked and settled young lady. Afterwards we can play. Right now it is work time.”

Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Ugh. All work and no play makes for a dull boy.”

“Dull?” Jase asked with his brow arched. “Once we get this finished and I take you to bed we’ll see how you feel about that statement.”

Swallowing hard, I quietly replied, “Oh my.”